Post setter



Sept. 18, 1951 B. A. CHAMBERS POST SETTER Filed April 5, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l p 195.1 B. A. CHAMBERS 2,568,540

POST SETTER Filed April 5, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A Barney A. Chambers INVENTOR.

BY (ma Waxy lim Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POST SETTER Barney A. Chambers, Milam, Teii.

Application April 3, 1950, Serial No. 153,589 Claims. (Cl. 61-74) The present invention relates to post setters and more particularly to the type adapted to be mounted on a tractor and actuated by the power of the tractor.

An object of this invention is to provide a driv-. ing weight for attachment to a, driving arm with which a fence post may be driven into the ground.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of novel means for lifting the arm to raised position, for tripping the driving arm when at raised position, and for preventing the driving arm from swinging past a predetermined point in its downstroke.

A still further object of this invention resides in the novel arrangement of the various means of the invention.

. Another object of this invention resides in provision of weight for driving posts that will not tend to split the posts.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the detailed description to follow. In the description as well as in the claims, parts are at times designated by particular names. However, such nomenclature is employed merely for convenience and is intended to be as generic in its application to analogous parts as the prior art will permit.

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical side view of the present invention mounted on a tractor;

Figure 2 is a horizontal top plan view of the post setter in place on the tractor of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the hydraulic cylinder, piston, lever, and means for mounting these elements in cooperative relation; and,

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the particular tripping mechanism employed in the present invention and details of the double channel welded arms.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, numeral i0 designates generally the tractor to which the present invention is attached and from which the power for actuating the device is received. l2 designates generally the supporting means, H the hydraulic actuating means, IS the tripping mechanism, is the Weight attachment, and 20 a post to be driven by the present invention.

Looking now at Figure 3, wherein the details of the hydraulic actuating means and the supporting means are shown, a pair of members 22, preferably channel iron, having end flanges 24 secured thereto, are fixed to the tractor axle housing 26 by bolts 28 through the end flanges 24. Each of the members 22 have support flanges 30 on their upper surfaces 32 and each of the sup port flanges has a journal element 34 fixed thereto. The outer end of th support I2 has an angle iron 36 attached thereto for support with respect to a tractor draw bar 38. A U-shaped iron strap 40 has its legs adjustably secured to the support members 22 as by bolts 42 passing through holes 44 in the base of the channel members, and nuts 46. Secured to the strap 40 at the bend are a pair of journal members 48.

The hydraulic actuating means It consists of a cylinder having fluid pressure inlet hose 52 an outlet house 54 connected thereto for actuating a piston therein and thus moving the plunger 56 attached to the piston. One end of the cylinder 50 is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the journal members 48 through the medium of an arm 58 secured to the cylinder end and pivotally mounted on the bolt 60 passing through the journal members.

Looking now at Figure 4 wherein the details of the tripping mechanism l6 of the invention are shown, 64 designates the drivin arm and 62 refers to the arm extension. The two arms are connected to each other by a hinge It. The sides of the arms 62 and 64 each have secured thereto a stirrup consisting of a pair of fiat elements 66 shown welded to the arms at one end 68 and having a pin 10 mounted in the other ends. Pivotally mounted on the pin 70 of the driving arm is a tripping plate '12 having a downwardl extending flange 14 adapted to overlie the pin ill of the arm extension, and having an upwardly angularly disposed portion 16. Disposed below the bend 18 in the tripping plate is a coil spring for normally urging the flange 14 into engagement with the pin 10. A steel rod 82 has its ends bent at right angles and one of its ends 84 secured to the portion 16. The other end 85 has an end link 88 of a chain 90 secured thereto. The other end of the chain 90 is adjustably connected to a channel member 92 which in turn is mounted on the frame of the tractor.

As seen best in Figure 1 the length of chain connecting the rod 82 to the frame is predetermined by selecting an intermediate link 94 for connection to member 92. A pair of guides 96 and 98 are provided for guiding the driving arm 64. An angle iron brace I00 extends from guide 98 to the frame of the tractor Hi. The tops of the guides 96 and 9B are bolted together by bolt I02. A spring I04 i positioned between the guides and on the member 92 for a purpose hereinafter described.

At the outer end of the driving arm 64 a weight i8 is attached. This weight consists of a hollowed impact element I08 angularly positioned relative 5 to the underside of the arm by a spacer I06. The impact element I08 has a curved wall III] which is adapted to strike the upper end of the post 20 without splitting it." The impact weight 112 is fixed upon the upper side of the arm' 64' and it has been found that a, weight of approximately 150 pounds is optimum for this purpose.

Looking again at Figure 3, the arrangementlof the lever connection between the hydraulic ac tuating means and the extension arm 'willbede lo scribed. A downwardly extendingfileyer armr l [4,", A is secured at one side to the outer end of the arm extension 62, as by weld, H6. A brace"l |8"a n-"" gularly disposed with respect to the arm and lever has itstwo parallel end portions I2fl and I 22"fixe'd to the arm and lever, respectively. The lower end of the lever l l4"-has tw'opairs of journal-members i24 with a journal bolt l26connected to one pair; The end I28 ofthe plunger 5Bis pivotally mounted onth'jour'halbolt I26; The arm 62-h'as a bolt secured-toits' underside and is pivotall mounted on the journal elements 34.

As is readilyseen'the arrangement is'adapted to receive pistonand'plungercombinations of varying size bysimply'securing'the strap in a so convenient position on the support members 22 and connecting the plunger to either of thejournals l24. g

The operation-o'f the presentinvention is as fOHOW Si V r 35 A post is placed where desiredandmanually held there. Thetractor' isfthen- 'positioned with the concavedimpact member in line with the top of the post. Thehydraulic actuating means is then supplied with fiuid pressure from the trac- 40 tor, causing the plungertoextend-and pivoting the lever and extensiona rm attached thereto on the bolt journaled on the support members With the tripping mechanism in the position shown in Figure 4, it will be apparent that the driving arm will angularly move with respect to the tractor but will remain in axial alignment with-the extension arm. Upon reaching a predetermined height the chain will-become taut; and continued pivoting of the extension armwill cause thechai'n to pivot the tripping plate unla'tching theflange from the pin on the stirrup of -theextension--arrn Thus, the driving arm willb'e-freeto pivot w'ith respect to the extension arm by thehinge means and the weight will then strikethepost'driving'it into the grouii'd; v

If the tractor hasb een so'positio'ne'd that the concaved impact m'e mber misses the posture arni will strike a spring located between the guide sto absorb the shock and prevent damage to the tractor.

As will be seen by an inspection of the drawings a device has beenprovided that can easily be made from channel, angle,-and strap iron members. The armsmay be easily constructedby placing a pairof channel'iron memberswith their edges facing each other andwelding' along-'th joint.

Some changes may readily-be made in the can. 7 struction and arrangement of" the partsof this device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of the invention, and the claimsarein tended to cover anymodifiedformsof structure which may reasonably be included within their 4 scope without sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining 'saidhin-ge means in operative, both of saidarmsmoiinted rofanguiar movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movemerit of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release sai'd'weight and arm for impact movement.

2;; A postsetter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said .hingerneans" inoperative, both of said arms-i mounted for angular movement on a tractor; means'for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for trippingthe hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm forimpact movement, in which said actuating means-comprises a hydraulic cylinder and plunger, said plunger connected to-said'a'rm extension'by a lever means; said plunger actuated .by fluidpressure provided by the tractor.

3. A post setter comprisingzarr-arm having a-'driving weight attached 'ato'ne' end and an arm extension "connected to e the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking'means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both of said armsmounted for angular movement-on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movementofsaidarm's, means for-tripping the hinge lo'ckingmeans to. pivot said first mentioned arm with re'spect to said'a'rm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, in whic'h 's'aid tripping means comprisesa first stirrup-member secured'to said first mentioned arm, a' secon'dstirrup member secured tosaid arm extension, said stirrups being in juxtaposition to said hinge means, an angular member resiliently engaging" said first mentioned arm and being provided with a flange atone end, said angular inember pivotally secured to saidfirst stirrup member and adaptedto' have said flangeoverlying said-second stirrup-member, and means connectingsthe other end-of said angular member to-said'tractor for tripping said flange from said second stirrup member and permitting said weight and arm to drop..

4. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension'connected 'to the said first mentioned arm \byhinge means; hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative,- both of said-'arms mountedfor angular movement on a tractor, means for actuatingtheangular movement ofsaid'arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot-said firstmen-tioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release saidweight and arm'for impact movement, in which said weight has a concavity ,at its lower face adapted to strike the post.

5. Apost setter comprising: an arm having a 'driving weight attached at'oneend-and anarm e'xtension connected to the said first-mentioned armgby' hinge means,-hinge locking means maintainingsaidhinge means inoperative; both of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, and spring means on said tractor adapted to en said first mentioned arm when said weight reaches a predetermined position.

6. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, and in which the means for mounting the arms for angular movement on the tractor consists of a pair of members secured to the tractor axle housing, a pair of support flanges fixed to said members, a roller fixed to said arm extension and journaled in said support flanges.

7. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both 1 of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said Weight and arm for impact movement, and in which the means for mounting the arms for angular movement on the tractor consists of a pair of members secured to the tractor axle housing, a pair of support flanges fixed to said members, a roller fixed to said arm extension and journaled in said support flanges, an adjustable strap fixed to the outer ends of said members, a downwardly extending lever arm fixed to the outer end of said arm extension and positioned between said pair of members, a hydraulic cylinder fixed to said strap for pivotal movement, a plunger in said cylinder having its outer end adjustably and pivotally secured to said lever at its lower end, and means supplied by the tractor for actuating said cylinder and piston.

8. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, and in which the means for mounting the arms for angular movement on the tractor consists of a pair of members secured to the tractor axle housing, a pair of support flanges fixed to said members, a roller fixed to said arm extension and journaled in said support flanges, in which said tripping means comprises a first stirrup member secured to said first mentioned arm, a second stirrup member secured to said arm extension, said stirrups being in juxtaposition to said hinge means, an angular member resiliently engaging said first mentioned arm and being provided with a flange at one end, said angular member pivotally secured to said first stirrup member and adapted to have said flange overlying said second stirrup member, and means connecting the other end of said angular member to said tractor for tripping said flange from said second stirrup member and permitting said weight and arm to drop.

9. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, and in which the means for mounting the arms for angular movement on the tractor consists of a pair of members secured to the tractor axle housing, a pair of support flanges fixed to said members, a roller fixed to said arm extension and journaled in said support flanges, an adjustable strap fixed to the outer ends of said members, a downwardly extending lever arm fixed to the outer end of said arm extension and positioned between said pair of members, a hydraulic cylinder fixed to said strap for pivotal movement, a plunger in said cylinder having its outer end adjustably and pivotally secured to said lever at its lower end, and means supplied by the tractor for actuating said cylinder and piston, in which said tripping means comprises a first stirrup member secured to said first mentioned arm, a second stirrup member secured to said arm extension, said stirrups being in juxtaposition to said hinge means, an angular member resiliently engaging said first mentioned arm and being provided with a flange at one end, said angular member pivotally secured to said first stirrup member and adapted to have said flange overlying said second stirrup member, and means connecting the other end of said angular member to said tractor for tripping said fiange from said second stirrup member and permitting said weight and arm to drop.

10. A post setter comprising: an arm having a driving weight attached at one end and an arm extension connected to the said first mentioned arm by hinge means, hinge locking means maintaining said hinge means inoperative, both of said arms mounted for angular movement on a tractor, means for actuating the angular movement of said arms, means for tripping the hinge locking means to pivot said first mentioned arm with respect to said arm extension to release said weight and arm for impact movement, and in which said arms are formed from a pair of channel members fixed to each other by weld.

BARNEY A. CHAMBERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

